The following are
paraphrases of today's questions for oral answer. They are
not complete or official, the official record of
Parliamentary proceedings is Hansard, which is not finalised
some days after the event.

SCOOP COVERAGE
BEGINS

Question 1.

Mark Peck (Labour) to the
Minister of Finance Michael Cullen:

Q: Has he received
any recent reports on the outlook for the New Zealand
economy; if so, what do they say?

A: I have received many
reports. One from a WestpacTrust economist in the Otago
Daily Times saying the economy was "booming". The author of
this report Mr Bevan Graham started yesterday as economics
advisor to the National Party. In another recent report he
said the unemployment rate was alarmingly low - this should
be of concern to the National Party.

Q: Lockwood Smith
(National): What does he think about NZIER concerns?

A: My
response to this is the same response I would have to
several mistakes they have made in the past concerning Super
and ACC.

Q: Jeanette Fitzsimmons (Green): What progress
is being made to find new methods of measuring economic
success including the value of unpaid work and the costs of
environmental degradation?

A: Some work is taking place in
those areas but they are very difficult areas on which to
come to any conclusions.

Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith
(National) to the Minister of Finance Michael Cullen:

Q:
Will he heed the warnings of the New Zealand Institute of
Economic Research and Standard and Poors that this
Government's policies raise real risks to the sustainability
of current economic growth?

A: I think the member is
misquoting Standard and Poors. The report said that concern
might exist if surpluses were reduced. This government does
not intend to reduce the surplus and so a tighter monetary
policy should not be necessary. I am delighted we did not
get a downgrade from Standard and Poors. The main concern
S&P had was that we might bail out heavily indebted private
companies, that is not our intention and this concern may
only be explained though looking at NZ from Singapore. We
expect that industry New Zealand will be able to encourage
effective efficient import substitution - we do not believe
that inefficient import substitution is a good idea. The
government has no plans to introduce rigid labour
markets.

Question 3.

Sue Kedgley (Green) to the
Minister of Transport Mark Gosche:

Q: How does he plan to
make cycling safer in light of the recent spate of cyclist
deaths and injuries, including four on State highways?

A:
I have met with a number of cycling groups. I understand
that Transit NZ has investigated the incidents on state
highways. I am also looking at these issues in relation to
the development of the road safety strategy through to
2010.

Q: Will the minister fund cycle ways on state
highways?

A: I understand cycle lanes can be funded but
cycle ways cannot by Transfund. I intend to look at the
provision of cycling ways and lanes particularly in relation
to Christchurch.

Q: Roger Sowry (National): Can local
authorities expect money in the budget for cycling?

A: I
am meeting regularly with local government on this and I am
sure they will be satisfied.

Question 4.

Dr
Wayne Mapp (National) to the Minister of Defence Mark
Burton:

Q: Does he disagree with the comments of Rear
Admiral Fred Wilson that "Any re-examination of defence
policy, for whatever reason, must start with a restatement
of national aims and desired outcomes."?

A: (Phil Goff on
behalf) I can only regret that the National Party did not
follow this advice when it purchased the Charles Upham and
F16s when they did not fit defence priorities.

Q: Wayne
Mapp (National): When will the minister stop trying to
stifle debate?

A: The decision that was intellectually
corrupt and militarily corrupt was to put NZ troops into a
combat zone like Bosnia with inadequate equipment. The
overall configuration of the Air Force and the Defence
Forces always needed to be considered before a decision was
made to spend $1 billion on replacing the Skyhawks.

Q:
Richard Prebble (ACT): Does the Minister stand by his
statement on TV of March 3rd when he said he favoured a
balanced force?

A: This government will be after balanced
decision making for its defence forces. Anyone looking at
this in a balanced way would look first to the Iroquois
helicopters and C130s which are being used constantly rather
than the Skyhawks which have never been used in a defence
capacity.

John Wright (Alliance) to the Minister of Local
Government Sandra Lee:

Q: What concerns does she have
about the pressures on local government and their
communities caused by controversies over cell-phone
towers?

A: I do have a concern that council notify
activities whenever they have an impact on their local
environment and residents. There is scientific difference on
whether cell phone towers are safe. We need national
standards in this area. Local Authorities already have the
power to deal with this. In the last Parliament Alliance
introduced a bill which would have prohibited cell phone
towers within 300metres of schools - we will consider later
this year whether we need national standards in this area.

Q: Jeanette Fitzsimmons (Green): Will the national
standard include mandatory notification?A: That is one
of the issues that is under consideration. However close
scrutiny of the RMA shows that councils already have powers
to notify matters such as this.

Q: When does he intend to fulfil the
requirement to consult with each individual Board of
Trustees, as outlined in the agreement in relation to the
fully-funded option scheme, before he cancels those
contracts?

A: I refer the member to the Education
Amendment Bill.

Q: Donna Awatere-Huata (ACT): Why is the
minister breaking bulk funding contracts for education at
the same time as the Minister of Health is promoting bulk
funding for primary health services?

A: I am not.

Q:
What information does he have on Donna Awatere-Huata's
campaign against the end of bulk funding?

A: I have
received a letter from a bulk funded school complaining
about Donna Awatere-Huata's use of a letter from it - and
looking forward to the end of bulk funding. I have received
a considerable amount of research saying schools have
benefited from bulk funding and the flexibility involved in
it. Under the Act introduced today there will remain plenty
of funding and lots of flexibility.

(Point of Order John
Tamihere - Labour - In Maori - Translation - Who is it
that dares to trample over the Mana of the Maori member who
raised an issue earlier on? And what happened to her applies
the same to other Maori members.

Speaker - I will examine
this matter and report back later.)

Q: Is he aware of
schools which are panicking about the end of bulk
funding?

A: I am not aware of any state of panic among
bulk funded schools. I am yet to hear from a single school
that will lose a permanent staff member as a result of these
changes. I like Mr Tamihere am concerned at the trampling of
Ms Huata's Mana by her party.

Question 7.

Ann
Hartley (Labour) to the Minister of Health Annette
King:

Q: How many New Zealanders will benefit from the
raising of the threshold for eligibility for the community
services card?

A: Approximately 48,000 more people will
be eligible. People with the card receive subsidies, $15 for
visits to the doctor and $3 for prescriptions.

Q: Will she be
seeking financial provision in the Budget specifically to
fund a pay increase for doctors, nurses and other hospital
staff or will pay increases for staff have to be funded from
normal operational funding?

A: No and yes.

Q: Wyatt
Creech (National): How does this tie in with statements made
prior to the election when she said a pay rise for staff at
Waikato hospital of 2% was not unreasonable?

A: The
member does not understand Industrial Relations. Doctors and
Nurses are looking for other things than simple pay rises
and these will be addressed in this current wage round. This
government is committed to health workforce planning. This
government will establish a health work-force advisory
committee responsible for planning in the long term. This
will be particularly helpful in the Mental Health area where
there is a shortage of qualified staff. Any pay increases to
staff will come from the fiscal envelopes of their
hospitals. I do not believe that health professionals
benefited from the health reforms under National.

Question 9.

Judy Keall (Labour) to the
Minister of Health Annette King:

Q: What reaction has she
received from health professionals to the discussion
document on the future shape of primary health care and has
she received any evidence to lend weight to a claim that
doctors will not support the strategy?

A: The initial
response has been overwhelmingly positive from all major
health organisations involved in this area. Several positive
comments quoted. The only negative reaction I have heard is
from Wyatt Creech. The discussion paper proposes that
primary care organisations take responsibility for the
health care of a population of health consumers in a more
holistic way.

Q: Wyatt Creech (National): What will the
future be for doctors who receive section 51 notices?

A:
This is a strategy for the long term and will be introduced
slowly. Doctors who wish to continue with Section 51 will be
able to do so. I note however that many doctors have
already joined Independent Practice Associations.

Q:
Wyatt Creech (National): Given that section 51 notices will
stay the same then what has happened to bring changes in
primary health care?

A: Under our proposals more than just
doctors will be involved, nurses and other health
professionals will also be involved.

Q: Who are the "high priests of the
temple" who she said on Morning Report this morning were
very critical of Te Papa?

A: My allusion was to those
with expertise who may or may not be critical of Te Papa.
Apparently the Leader of the Opposition would like to stifle
debate. Her term the thought police ought to be used for
herself.

Q: Jenny Shipley (National): Why are these
people's views more valid than the 89% of people who visit
Te Papa and are satisfied?

A: No one is saying that any
ones views are more valid than others. However it would be
foolish to disregard the opinions of experts. The Leader of
Opposition should unplug her ears.

Q: Jim Anderton
(Alliance): Has she any reports as to why the Leader of the
Opposition is asking questions at number 10 or 11 and not at
the beginning of question time?

(Speaker - that question
is out of order.

Roger Sowry - most of the Government
front bench are eating lollies could the rule on eating in
the house be enforced.

Speaker - I do not think that is
the sort of thing that should be raised by point of
order.)

Q: Jenny Shipley (National): Has the Minister
visited Te Papa and discussed her concerns with staff there
and if so when?

A: Of course I have visited Te Papa but I
have found myself with less spare time than the member now
that I am Prime Minister.

Question 11.

Chris
Carter (Labour) to the Minister of Immigration Lianne
Dalziel:

Q: What factors led to the approval of funding
to save an Auckland hostel for refugee claimants from
closure?

A: There were a number of factors that led to
action on this. Specifically concern that the hostel would
close due to a funding crisis.

Q: Does the government
have any plans for the hostel?

A: The government is very
aware of the adhoc nature of funding for the hostel in the
past. A package is being prepared to address this and will
be included in the budget. The previous government refused
to provide emergency funding for the hostel last year and it
had to go to Auckland City Council to remain open.

Question 12.

Bob Simcock (National) to the
Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Social
Services) Tariana Turia:

Q: Does she stand by her
statement, in regard to the Children, Youth and Family
Services, that there is "downright prejudice within the
organisation"?

A: Yes.

Q: Bob Simcock (National): Has
she spoken to Steve Maharey about how sickened he feels
about this, and is he similarly nauseated?

A: Yes I
have. But no he is not similarly nauseated.

Q: Steve
Maharey (Labour): What experience and responsibilities does
the Minister have in this area?

(After objection from
Roger Sowry - that the Minister clearly knew the answer as
he was her minister - question ruled out of order by
Speaker.)

Q: Winston Peters (NZ First) Is the minister
aware of the difficulty of placement of Maori children in
Pakeha homes?

A: I do not support prejudice in any area of
department activities. I am committed to working with Child
Youth and Family to address these issues which were ignored
by the previous government.

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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